The 2009 Tormach Christmas Code has been released and is now available for download.

Download the 2009 Christmas Code

Waunakee, WI, October 30, 2009 – Tormach, LLC, makers of the PCNC 1100 personal CNC mill, has expanded the revolutionary Duality Lathe Concept with the addition of the new Duality Lathe 4^th Axis.

The Duality Lathe 4^th Axis provides continuous 4^th axis motion to the Duality Lathe.  It utilizes a compact zero-backlash harmonic gear drive that’s powered by a 640 oz-inch NEMA 32 Stepper motor.  It seamlessly integrates with the Tormach’s existing control system.

Tormach’s Duality Lathe, introduced in fall 2008, is unique in the world of affordable CNC.  The Duality Lathe attaches to the bed of the Tormach PCNC mill, leveraging the motion control systems of the mill to provide affordable CNC lathe function, proving popular with technology educators, R&D labs, and the hobby community. 

“The Duality Lathe 4^th axis is a great example of leveraging our existing technology to provide affordable function,” explained Tormach president Greg Jackson.  “Industrial mill/turn machines aren’t practical for our customers, but it’s easy to see that one of the advantages of this type of machine is it reduces the need for multiple work setups.  With 4^th axis control for the lathe, you can mill and turn with just a single set up.  There really isn’t anything else out there that provides the same value as our Duality Lathe System.”

The Duality Lathe 4^th axis adds to Tormach’s full line of machine tool accessories, which also includes the extensive TTS system of modular cutting tools, tool holders, tapping heads, and a digitizing probe.  Other products include rotary tables, CAD/CAM software, and the best-selling PCNC 1100 CNC mill.

About Tormach

The people at Tormach are dedicated to delivering tools, accessories, and components of unprecedented value in the world of CNC and motion control.  Whether you are involved in R&D, education, short-run production, or simply entrepreneurs with new ideas, Tormach products allow you to make what you need easier, quicker, and more affordable.

Tormach is headquartered in Waunakee, Wisconsin. For more information about personal CNC mills and accessories, please visit www.tormach.com or contact Tormach directly at info@tormach.com

Tormach is happy to release a new resource for people interested in learning more about CAD & CAM software programs. Our CAD & CAM video library currently features six SprutCAM video tutorials, with more videos on the way! If you have an idea for a video, please Contact Us.

More about the CAD & CAM Video Library

“Personal” CNC Makes Parts for Studying Sharks by Leslie Gordon, features Tormach products used by our customer Frank Borke to make cameras that can be attached to sharks and other sea creatures.

More about the Machine Design Article

Check out Tormach's new blog by clicking on the orange "RSS" icon at the top of any page or by going to www.tormach.com/blog. The blog is the place to get the latest Tormach news and sneak peeks into developing Tormach products.

More about Tormach's Blog

Waunakee, WI, July 15, 2009 – Tormach, LLC, makers of the PCNC 1100 personal CNC mill, has just released its new line of Modular Insert Tooling.  The complete line offers the versatility of 24 different cutting tool combinations, using 5 unique cutting head geometries in multiple sizes and tool lengths.

The system uses replaceable carbide inserts with modern cutting geometries for affordable top-line performance.  Geometries are available for face milling, end milling, center-cutting endmilling, ball end milling, and toroidal end milling.

Cutter mounts are available in 3 lengths for versatile cutting reach.  Each mount uses the Tormach Tooling System (TTS) geometry for quick, repeatable tool offset referencing for R8 or MT3 spindles or other systems that can grasp a ¾” shaft.

“Our modular insert tooling system is an exciting addition to the TTS line,” explained Tormach president Greg Jackson.  “Modular tooling is in wide use in today’s large professional machine shops, but the benefits of a modular system – namely flexibility and low operating cost- haven’t been readily available to the small shops and hobbyists that are our customers.  We wanted to change that.”

Following the initial launch, Jackson expects future additions to the new product line.  Tormach’s other TTS tools already include a full line of tool holders for solid tooling, reversing and tension/compression tapping heads, boring bars, and a digitizing probe.

About Tormach

The people at Tormach are dedicated to delivering tools, accessories, and components of unprecedented value in the world of CNC and motion control.  Whether you are involved in R&D, education, short-run production, or simply entrepreneurs with new ideas, Tormach products allow you to make what you need easier, quicker, and more affordable.

Tormach is headquartered in Waunakee, Wisconsin. For more information about personal CNC mills and accessories, please visit www.tormach.com or contact Tormach directly at info@tormach.com

The Tormach Machine Controller (TMC) is a dedicated computing platform designed specifically for controlling machinery using the Mach3 CNC control program. The TMC is based on the MachOS operating system, a customized version of Microsoft Windows Embedded 2009. MachOS has been developed by Tormach in close cooperation with the authors of Mach3 to be the optimum operating environment for the Mach3 program. As a dedicated computing platform, the TMC is far more reliable than a general purpose personal computer (PC).

More about the Tormach Machine Controller

Waunakee, WI, June 10, 2009 – Tormach, LLC announced today that it has two new distribution centers for shipping machines and stands.  The new warehouses will lower freight costs for our customers and improve transit time, particularly for those in the western US and throughout the Pacific Rim.

A new distribution center has been opened in Las Vegas, Nevada.  This location is situated to better serve our West Coast and Pacific Rim customers.  Overseas shipments will be consolidated with the accessories shipping from Waunakee, WI to best control cost for customers.

For those on the western Pacific, Tormach now offers the option of shipping machines and stands from Qingdao, China.  Accessories will still ship separately from our home office in Waunakee, WI.  This option can provide cost savings to our customers in Australia and New Zealand.

The existing Midwest warehouse has been relocated to Kenosha, WI.  Customers east of the Rocky Mountains, South America, Europe, and Africa will continue to receive machines and stands from the Midwest facility. 

"This is a significant step forward in meeting our mission." says Tormach CEO, Greg Jackson.  "Offering the best value in equipment and support is only part of what we're trying to accomplish. By optimizing logistics, reducing both delivery time and cost, we're getting customers up and running sooner and at a lower overall cost."

Tormach’s sales and shipping department will advise customers on their best options for shipping.

About Tormach

The people at Tormach are dedicated to delivering tools, accessories, and components of unprecedented value in the world of CNC and motion control.  Whether you are involved in R&D, education, short-run production, or simply entrepreneurs with new ideas, Tormach products allow you to make what you need easier, quicker, and more affordable.

Tormach is headquartered in Waunakee, Wisconsin. For more information about ‘personal CNC’ mills and accessories, please visit www.tormach.com or contact Tormach directly at info@tormach.com

Give a gift to Technical Education while cleaning out your shop – and Tormach will pay you to do it!

Let’s face it: projects don’t always go as planned. Maybe the CNC conversion project you started has stalled out indefinitely. Or components you bought just didn’t fit right and now you’ve got a box of stepper motors, ballscrews, etc. collecting dust in the corner of your shop with little chance at ever being used. Or maybe you've started to appreciate the differences between a converted machine and a machine designed from the ground up to be a CNC mill.

Why not give these parts a new home in technical education through Tormach’s CNC Project Amnesty Program? Robotics, manufacturing, and pre-engineering programs can really use these items, and we will issue you credit towards the purchase of a PCNC mill.

For a limited time, Tormach will pay you for the CNC components you have collected for your conversion project. All components turned in will be donated to non-profit educational organizations. If your high school shop, robotics program, or educational institute is interested in receiving free motion control components, please Contact Us.

Waunakee, WI, May 4, 2009 – Tormach, LLC announced today that it has joined the Microsoft Windows Embedded Partner Program. The new relationship with Microsoft will give Tormach access to Windows Embedded solutions and technologies, improving software solutions and lowering development costs for the PCNC 1100 mill and future products.

Windows Embedded technology will give Tormach the ability to maintain industry leading quality while reducing project costs and lead times. The agreement allows Tormach to customize software for product offerings and adapt to the ever-changing computer architecture landscape. As a Windows Embedded developer, Tormach will be able to provide specialized applications and platforms that enhance performance, functionality, and user-friendliness.

"We are really excited about the benefits to our customers as a result of the partnership with Windows Embedded," says Greg Jackson, President of Tormach. "This agreement allows Tormach to concentrate our product development and bring affordable and innovative CNC solutions to our customers at a faster pace."

According to Jackson, the main reason for partnering with Windows Embedded was dependability. "Our customers are making an investment in our products and look to us for long term value. Windows Embedded products carry a 10 year life cycle, far different than the consumer products. Our investment in these technologies will help us ensure that we can support our customers far into the future and improve the value of our products to our customers."

Microsoft Windows Embedded Partner Program

The Microsoft Windows Embedded Partner Program is a strategic worldwide program focused on providing partners with increased business opportunities, market awareness and technology advice. Being recognized as a Windows Embedded Partner helps give added strength in the marketplace to support your next customer.

About Tormach

The people at Tormach are dedicated to delivering tools, accessories, and components of unprecedented value in the world of CNC and motion control.  Whether you are involved in R&D, education, short-run production, or simply entrepreneurs with new ideas, Tormach products allow you to make what you need easier, quicker, and more affordable.

Tormach is headquartered in Waunakee, Wisconsin. For more information about ‘personal CNC’ mills and accessories, please visit www.tormach.com or contact Tormach directly at info@tormach.com

Tormach would like to congratulate all the high school robotics teams who competed in the 2009 FIRST championship this month in Atlanta, GA., and offer a special congratulations and word of thanks to all the teams using the PCNC 1100 – consider us impressed! See a video of Hanover High School's Robot in Action

More about the FIRST Program

Waunakee, WI, March 25, 2009 – Tormach, LLC, manufacturer of the PCNC 1100 personal CNC mill, is now offering CNC FUNDAMENTALS as the first workshop in the new Personal Manufacturing Series.

The workshop is a hands-on introduction to CNC, from art to part.  Each attendee who completes the 3-day course will build his or her own desktop Stirling Engine while learning the fundamentals of machine control, workholding and fixturing, referencing, NC programming, precision measurement, machining process selection and design for manufacturing.

Optional evening sessions are planned during each workshop with focus on topics related to starting and running a full-or part- time small manufacturing business, such as prototyping, product marketing and promotion, protecting intellectual property, accounting practices, and more.

“Tormach’s mission statement is to empower people who make things,” said Andy Grevstad, training coordinator.  “Educational opportunities like CNC FUNDAMENTALS will help us to continue to meet that goal for our customers, regardless of CNC experience.”

CNC FUNDAMENTALS is open to anybody with an interest in learning how to use the PCNC 1100 or any CNC mill.  All abilities are welcome.  Basic computer and/or machining familiarity are helpful, but not necessary.

For a limited time, a $500 coupon towards the purchase of a PCNC 1100 mill will be offered to workshop attendees.  The coupon is valid for 6 mos. after the date of the workshop. Visit www.tormach.com/workshops for complete details on this promotion.

The workshop will be held in Waunakee, WI, just north of Madison.  For a complete agenda and information on upcoming dates and how to sign up, visit www.tormach.com/workshops.

About Tormach

The people at Tormach are dedicated to delivering tools, accessories, and components of unprecedented value in the world of CNC and motion control.  Whether you are involved in R&D, education, short-run production, or simply entrepreneurs with new ideas, Tormach products allow you to make what you need easier, quicker, and more affordable.

Tormach is headquartered in Waunakee, Wisconsin. For more information about ‘personal CNC’ mills and accessories, please visit www.tormach.com or contact Tormach directly at info@tormach.com

Tormach and President Greg Jackson were recently featured in a newspaper article in the Wisconsin State Journal. The article also includes an interview with Tormach customer Randy Gordon-Gilmore.

Read the Wisconsin State Journal Article

Waunakee, WI, March 10, 2009 – Tormach, LLC, creator of the PCNC 1100, the affordable and versatile 3-Axis personal CNC mill, has added another accessory to enhance performance and ease-of-operation.  The new Load Meter (PN 31101) will display real-time spindle load, enabling an operator to visually monitor cutting performance in real-time.

According to Tormach CEO Greg Jackson, the new load meter can be used to monitor tool wear and troubleshoot both programming and drive performance.  “Everything else being equal, increasing spindle load can be a sign that a tool needs to be sharpened or replaced,” he notes.  “The ability to monitor spindle load will also allow operators and programmers to tune speed, feed, cut depth and other factors to maximize mill performance while minimizing tool wear and controlling spindle load.”  Jackson noted that this can lead to significant reductions of both tool costs and mill down-time and repairs.

The Load Meter consists of a compact plug-in housing with a needle dial that shows spindle load as a real-time display, plus LEDs that light if the spindle is rotating or has faulted.  The meter connects to either the PCNC 1100 Series II mills or any pre-Series II machines with the spindle upgrade package installed.  The spindle upgrade kit is PN 31090.

About Tormach

The people at Tormach are dedicated to delivering tools, accessories, and components of unprecedented value in the world of CNC and motion control.  Whether you are involved in R&D, education, short-run production, or simply entrepreneurs with new ideas, Tormach products allow you to make what you need easier, quicker, and more affordable.

Tormach is headquartered in Waunakee, Wisconsin. For more information about ‘personal CNC’ mills and accessories, please visit www.tormach.com or contact Tormach directly at info@tormach.com

Jackson, who has been involved in machine building for over 30 years, speaks from experience when he says it’s easy to produce an ultra-high performance machine when money is no object. He believes the challenge and satisfaction comes in creating a machine with the greatest possible value at the lowest possible cost. Something Tormach has accomplished.

Waunakee, WI, January 25, 2009 – Tormach, innovators of CNC technology, announced today the addition of another new product to its CNC offerings – the Tension/Compression Tapping Head (PN 31163). 

Designed to simplify the quick and accurate tapping of small holes, the Tension/Compression Tapping Head works seamlessly with the Tormach Tooling System (TTS).  It includes a tapping chuck and nine quick-change collets and is compatible with both ANSI-compliant inch (#0 – 1/2”) and metric (M1.6 – M12) taps.

The Tension/Compression Tapping Head has up to 3/4” of float built in to maintain coordination of spindle speed and feed rate, and provides fast and precise tapping of small holes without an overly complicated mechanism.  “It’s a really easy system to use and set up, and programming is quick and easy using Tormach's PC-based control software or standard NC code,” according to Tormach CEO Greg Jackson.

The Tension/Compression Tapping Head is recommended for use on Tormach PCNC 1100 Series II machines or Pre-Series II machines that have digital spindle drive upgrade kit (PN 31090) installed.  It is also compatible with other manufacturers’ machines that can accept a 3/4” shank.  In addition to the new tension-compression head, Tormach also offers two sizes of reversing tapping heads (PN 30612 and PN 30613) in the TTS line.

The release of this tapping head adds another component to the successful and affordable Tormach Tooling System (TTS).  TTS tools are compatible with any small CNC using R8 or MT3 taper.  TTS tools provide quick, easy, and repeatable tool changing while maintaining excellent rigidity and precision.  TTS tools work seamlessly with Tormach’s PCNC 1100 and many other systems.  Since its introduction in 2006, Tormach's PCNC 1100 mill has steadily won fans around the world by delivering an unrivaled combination of quality and affordability.

About Tormach

The people at Tormach are dedicated to delivering tools, accessories, and components of unprecedented value in the world of CNC and motion control.  Whether you are involved in R&D, education, short-run production, or simply entrepreneurs with new ideas, Tormach products allow you to make what you need easier, quicker, and more affordably.

Tormach is headquartered in Waunakee, Wisconsin. For more information about ‘personal CNC’ mills and accessories, please visit www.tormach.com or contact Tormach directly at info@tormach.com

Waunakee, WI, January 7, 2009 – Tormach, the innovative CNC technology company, announced today the introduction of a vacuum table kit designed exclusively for the PCNC 1100 3-axis milling machine.

The new Vacuum Table Kit adds flexible, custom workholding to Tormach’s PCNC 1100 for light machining applications such as engraving and light finishing.  It easily installs on the table with standard mounting hardware and can be removed just as quickly for no-hassle fixturing.

The precision machined aluminum table features an 18” x 9 ½” working area to match the work envelope of the popular PCNC 1100.  It also features a low profile that adds only 1” to the overall table height.

The release of the vacuum table kit continues to expand the wide variety of accessories available to the fast-growing PCNC 1100 owner community.  Since its release in 2006, the mill has steadily won fans around the world by delivering an unrivaled combination of quality and affordability.

“While the vacuum table kit doesn’t replace a traditional machinist vise, it provides a platform for unique workholding strategies not possible otherwise,” says Greg Jackson, Tormach CEO.  “I’m really excited to what our customers come up with.”  Jackson goes on to mention that he expects to see great interest from those customers who do engraving and light machining, especially in wood, plastic, and circuit boards.

A vacuum pump and exhaust filter are sold separately and when combined with the kit provide a complete vacuum workholding system for the PCNC 1100.

About Tormach

The people at Tormach are dedicated to delivering tools, accessories, and components of unprecedented value in the wqorld of CNC and motion control.  Whether customers are involved in R&D, education, short-run production, or simply entrepreneurs with new ideas, Tormach products allow them to make what they need easier, quicker, and more affordably.  Tomach is headquartered in Waunakee, Wisconsin.  For more information about ‘personal CNC’ mills and accessories, please visit www.tormach.com or contact Tormach directly at info@tormach.com.